LPN Vs RN

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2008

There are many reasons. Many people need to get out working quickly so go the LPN route and plan on getting their RN later. Many don't want the responsiblities of an RN and enjoy the patient contact of an LPN. LPNs can do very well in FL in long term care facilities, etc.

Good luck to you. Personally for money and job opportunities, I think RN is the best goal to have.

ink10300 · Jun 5, 2008

Hi!

I have chosen to become an LPN, with high hopes of continuing on and becoming an RN.

School is expensive and hard to do for great length of time, especially if you work full time or more and have kids.

If I could have just done a straight shot, it would have been perfect.

But, all the pre-req's can take at least a year if your lucky, but more probably 2. Then another 2 years in the program itself.

I have literally worked my way up. CNA, for almost 10 years. I got stuck when I managed a non-medical home care company, working at least 60-80 hrs a week, (literally). Then a phlebotomist and medical biller concurrently.

When I found the LPN program, the pre-reqs were included. 1 yr. straight shot and I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a nurse, at the age of 28.

Still dreaming of attaining the RN, but I am thankful and proud that I am still a Nurse.

dianne1971 · Jun 5, 2008

I wanted to get into the nursing field, and with no pre-req's done along with the waiting list, this seemed to be the fastest way to get into it. Now I can work (when I find a job) and take my pre-req's. I do plan on going ahead to RN but it will take awhile....I'm also a single mom.

Nur_1996 · Jun 8, 2008

I have had a very sucessful career as a LPN, never settled for second best. I have held many supervisor postions. I have just been accepted for the RN program in the fall after being a LPN for 13 years. This is what worked for me, since a had 4 kids at home when becoming a LPN. I now still have two teenage boys at home. I feel prepared and ready for a new challenge. I reccomend nursing RN or LPN as a excellent career choice.

Medium0304 · Jul 11, 2008

I am hoping to start an LPN program this Aug. Can you tell me a little more about your process to become an LPN? I am 27 years old and feel like this is the best option for me because I want to fulfill my dream but I also need to start making some $$ soon. I will continue to get my RN but at least with my lpn I will already be in the field. Did you work while in the LPN program? If so, what hours did you work? How did you balance school and work? The LPN program I am interested in is either from 7 am - 3pm or 4 pm - 10 pm. I have a 3yr old and have to work, I cannot afford to stop working right now. Please advice.

Thanks.

labrador4122, RN · Jul 14, 2008

I am hoping to start an LPN program this Aug. Can you tell me a little more about your process to become an LPN? I am 27 years old and feel like this is the best option for me because I want to fulfill my dream but I also need to start making some $$ soon. I will continue to get my RN but at least with my lpn I will already be in the field. Did you work while in the LPN program? If so, what hours did you work? How did you balance school and work? The LPN program I am interested in is either from 7 am - 3pm or 4 pm - 10 pm. I have a 3yr old and have to work, I cannot afford to stop working right now. Please advice.
Thanks.

I don't understand why you want to be an LPN when you have to be at school monday thru friday either in the morning or in the afternoon---- who will take care of your child??

with the RN program, you take your pre-reqs any time of the day at any campus, and once you start the program it's only 3 days out of the week that you go to school on a monday & friday from 9-12 then one day a full clinical rotation from 6-5pm

Nur_1996 · Jul 14, 2008

I think becoming a LPN first is a very good option. Most vocational schools have some day care programs. I also think that becoming a LPN is not a second class career. You have many options for work, and you can gain experience while taking the prereq's for the RN program if that is what you choose. Either way it can be done, My kids were 14,11,5 and 2 when I got my LPN 12 years ago. I have had a wonderful carrer as a LPN and will be bridging to the RN program in August. Either way good luck!

Medium0304 · Jul 14, 2008

BumblebeeRN,

The reason why I chose the LPN path is because I have applied to several RN programs for the past couple of years and have not been accepted. It is going to be a huge sacrifice but my husband is very supportive and will take care of our child while I am in school or studying. I AM worried about not being able to spend enough time with my son during this time. However, I am more worried about what our future will look like if I don't go to school. I am tired of living paycheck to paycheck and going to a job that I don't like everyday.

I know that the RN option is best but I decided not to waste any more time. (I already wasted time when I was younger and that is the main reason I can't get into RN school, low GPA). LPN school will be tough but it's 1 year and I think it will be very rewarding in the end. After that, I will apply immediately for the bridge to RN.

ink10300 · Jul 15, 2008

I don't understand why you want to be an LPN when you have to be at school monday thru friday either in the morning or in the afternoon---- who will take care of your child??
with the RN program, you take your pre-reqs any time of the day at any campus, and once you start the program it's only 3 days out of the week that you go to school on a monday & friday from 9-12 then one day a full clinical rotation from 6-5pm
It does depend on your state how many clinical and didactic hours will be, and of course different schools have different schedules. And many programs not only require the necessary pre-reqs be completed first before you are accepted into the program, but often times there is a waiting list for the RN programs. But would be well worth it..

FAVORED1 · Sep 20, 2008

Hi there. I just wanted to say it sounds like you & I are living parallel lives!! Except I'm not married. I 2 will be going into the LPN program come January & am very excited. This is the best plan for me as I have wasted time & made mistakes early on. I wish you the best of luck with becoming a NURSE!! whether it be LPN or RN!!!! :twocents:

NewGoalRN · Sep 22, 2008

I think that the OP has an excellent plan. I have a B.S and MBA and i will be going to school as soon as accepted , via the LPN program at a technical school. Right now, I am taking A&p1 and lab, Sociology and Gen Psych at our local community college.

I have all of my other pre-reqs done except A&P2 and lab and Microbioloby. I know what some what say, why go the lpn route when i can take apply for an accelerated RN program for people with BS degrees or when I can apply for the RN school.

Here is the skinny, some folks prefer a straight shot to school rather than waiting 1-2yrs to get admitted to a RN program and also some folks need to work right away.

At HCC in TAMPA, I believe that they only accept ~165 students for both the Plant City and Dale Mabry campus per the Advisorn and some 400-500 people will apply.

I have applied for the LPN program at Erwin tech and I am exempted from taking the TABE or TEAS. The next day programs aren Aug 2009 and Jannand March 2010.

I would only be able to apply for HCC's spring 2010 class as the deadline for Fall 2008 was Jan of this year and Spring 2009 was June 2008. Fall 2009 deadline is Jan 15 and i would not be finished with AP2 and Micro until May 2009. Therefore, I am only eligible to apply for the Jan 2010 classn which would mean me wasting 1.5yrs without the gurantee that I would be even accepted.

By going the LPN route in my case, if I'm accepted for the Aug 2009 class, I would be finished Aug 2010 and I can go on to apply to SPC's bridge program for Jan 2011 AND work and make money AND get valuable experience.

The LPN will pay me less than what I make now but hopefully, when I bridge to RN, it will equal or an exceed my current salary with an extra shift.

I wrote all of this because it seems that some think that LN is a low class route to go when it is not and can fit some people's situation.